Dental floss holder and dispenser

ABSTRACT

A dispenser and holder for dental floss and other teeth cleaning materials which includes two prongs over which the dental floss is strung, the prongs being attached to a case containing a roll of dental floss, and means for holding the dental floss tightly over the prongs.

limited States Patent 1191 Di Vineenti Sept. 18, 1973 r, d I 4 v m1,618,351 2/1927 Raycraft 132/92 R 1,274,423 8/1918 Kristmann 132/92 R1,468,942 9/1923 Gamble 132/92 R Primary Examiner-Robert PeshockAttorney-David L. Ray

[57] ABSTRACT A dispenser and holder for dental floss and other teethcleaning materials which includes two prongs over which the dental flossis strung, the prongs being attached to a case containing a roll ofdental floss, and means for holding the dental floss tightly over theprongs.

9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Pmmmstmm INVENTOR. Angelo D. DiVincenriPATENTED 3 SHEET 2 0f 2 FIG. 6.

FIG. 5.

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wwnl nhrvlll' INVENTOR. Angelo D. DiVincenfi DENTAL FLOSS HOLDER ANlDDISPENSER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As is well known, cleaning theteeth with dental floss is widely recommended by authorities on dentalhygiene. However, many people find it very difficult to clean betweenall of the teeth with dental floss, especially the teeth in the rearportion of the mouth. It is difficult to insert two fingers of each handdeep into the mouth to clean the rear teeth.

It would therefore be quite helpful to have a dental floss holder whichwouldnot require the insertion of the fingers into the mouth, and wouldeasily clean the teeth in the rear portion of the mouth. Accordingly, itis an object of the present invention to provide a dental floss holderand dispenser which may be held in one hand.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a dental flossdispenser and applicator which will clean all the teeth in the mouthwithout requiring insertion of the fingers of the users hand into themouth.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a dental flossdispenser which contains a dental floss therein which may be advanced asneeded.

THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there isprovided a novel dental floss holder and dispenser which includes atleast two prongs connected to a case, the prongs having a piece ofdental floss strung therebetween.The invention will be more fullyunderstood by reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an assembled dental floss dispenser;

FIG. 2 is a partly sectional elevational view of a dental flossdispenser;

FIG. 3 is a partly sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded, partly sectional elevational view of a dentalfloss dispenser;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a still further embodiment of the prongsof the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular Drawings 1-4, the fullyassembled dental floss dispenser and holder of the present invention canbe seen in FIG. 1. The dental floss dispenser includes a case 10 havingupper internal threads 11 and lower internal threads 12. The lower casethreads 12 engage threads 17 on cap 15 thereby closing the lower end ofcase 10. Cap 15 contains a slot 16 therein for insertion of a penny orscrewdriver, or other means, to unscrew cap 15 from the bottom of case10.

The upper case threads 11 engage threaded connector 30 which has threads32 thereon. Connector 30 is generally cylindrical in shape, as can beseen from the drawings, and has a hole 33 in the side thereof throughwhich dental floss 13 is inserted. Connector 30 screws into the upperend of case 10, as indicated in FIG. 2.

Immediately above case 10 and around connector 30 is lower ring 20,which is preferably a torus composed of a suitable material such asmetal, or preferably plastic. The purpose of lower ring is to contactdental floss 13 and keep it from slipping when the dispenser is fastenedtogether tightly.

Above ring 20 is locking sleeve 25. Locking sleeve 25 is generallycylindrical in shape and has internal threads 26 for threadably engagingconnector 30. Along the lower edge of locking sleeve 25 are slots 22through which dental floss 13 is fitted. The slots are only partiallyindented into the edge of locking sleeve 25 so that ring 20 can stillcontact and press against dental floss 13 when the dispenser is fastenedtogether tightly. The grooves or slots 22 in locking sleeve 25 merelykeep the dental floss 13 from sliding around the circumference oflocking sleeve 25.

A second ring 21 identical to ring 20 is located above locking sleeve25. The purpose of ring 21 is the same as that of ring 22, i.e., topress against dental floss 13 so that the dental floss may be strungtightly about the dispenser prongs 40. and 43. Ring 21 is located belowtop nut 35.

Top nut 35 is any conventional nut, preferably a hexagonal-shape nuthaving internal threads for threadably engaging connector 30. Nut 35 hastwo holes in the top thereof for receipt of prongs 43 and 40, as shownin FIGS. 2 and 4. Nut 35 also has a third hole 44 therein for receipt ofscrew 37.

Plate 36 is connected to nut 35 by screw 37 and nut 38. Plate 36 ismerely a flat, round plate washer having a hole 39 therein and havingprongs 40 and 43 fastened thereto by any conventional means, such asscrewing bolting, welding, gluing, etc. The prongs 40 and 43 attached toplate 36 have tips 41 connected thereto.

Prong 43 is curved outward from vertical straight prong 40 to facilitateentry of the prongs into the mouth. Tip 41 may be attached to the end ofprong 43 or prong 40 by any suitable means such as gluing, or the like.Tip 41 is preferably made of some soft, flexible material which will notinjure the gums when contacting the inside of the mouth or the gums. Tip41 has a groove 42 therein for holding dental floss I3.

Dental floss 13 is held on roll 14, as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 4. Thedental floss 13 extends upwardly through the center of ring 20 and thecenter of locking sleeve 25, upwards through the center of connector 30and out through hole 33 in the side of connector 30. The dental floss I3continues upwardly through the inside of ring 21 and over the outside ofnut 35. The floss then extends over the top of prong 40 through tip 41onward to prong 43 through groove 42 in tip 41 and downwardly. Thedental floss is wrapped around connector 30 after the dispenser isassembled, as shown in FIG. 2, between locking sleeve 25 and lower ring20. The string tits into a groove 22 and locking sleeve 25.

After a portion of dental floss between tips 41 has been used, a newportion of dental floss may be advanced off of spool 14 to replace theused portion with an unused portion. To replace the used portion, thecase 10 is merely screwed downward on connector 30 to loosen lower ring20. Locking sleeve 25 is then screwed downward from ring 21 therebyloosening the string extending inside ring 21. The dental floss 13 isunwrapped at the lower loose end from connector 30 and pulled downwardto advance the string from spool 14. When the desired amount of stringis advanced, the dental floss is wrapped around connector 30 and lockingsleeve 25 is tightened against ring 21. When locking sleeve 25 is tight,case 10 is screwed upward on connector 30 to force lower ring 20 againstlocking sleeve 25. To replace dental floss spool 14, plug 15 isunscrewed from the bottom of case 10, and a new spool is inserted.

All of the various components of the present invention may be made fromplastic, although it is preferred that the prongs 40 and 43 be made of ametal covered with a plastic coating for a maximum strength. Ring 20 and21 could be eliminated from the present invention since case contactinglocking sleeve 25 and nut 35 contacting locking sleeve 25 would hold thedental floss therebetween. However, when top nut 35 or case 10 is madeof metal it is preferred that rings and 21 be included to keep fromcutting the dental floss 13. It is also possible to delete ring 20,locking sleeve 25 and top ring 21. In such an embodiment case 10 wouldcontact nut 35 to pinch dental floss 13 therebetween. However, thisembodiment is not preferred because the dental floss is more easilytightened when it is possible to lock the dental floss extending out ofhole 33 with ring 21 and locking sleeve 25 prior to wrapping the looseend of dental floss 13 around connector and tightening the ring 20 andcase 10.

In the preferred embodiment as shown in the drawings, the dental flossis locked with locking sleeve 25 and top ring 21 and then is stretchedtightly over tips 41 and wrapped around connector 33,- thereby assuringa tight, taut dental floss string. The dental floss 13 is then locked inposition by tightening the bottom of case 10 against ring 20.

Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 5. In FIG.5, prongs 40 and 43 have been replaced by prongs 50 which have a rightangle bend near the top thereof and are otherwise straight. Tips 51 haveslots as indicated therein for receipt of sandpaper 52. Sandpaper 52 isrolled slightly at each end to fit within tip 51 without sliding. Suchsandpaper strips are frequently used by dentists to sand small depositsfrom in between the teeth.

A still further embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 6in which prongs 40 are straight. The tips 51 are the same as those inFIG. 5, and a piece of sandpaper may be inserted therein as indicated inFIG. 5.

In another embodiment, slot 31 shown in FIG. 4 may be provided inconnector 30 for receipt of dental floss 13. Slot 31 performs the samefunction as hole 33, i.e., dental floss 13 can be fed upward from roll14 through slot 31 and on upward through ring 21.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications or changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A dental floss holder and dispenser comprising a. first means forholding a roll of dental floss, said first means comprising tube means,said tube means comprising a hollow cylinder having threads on theinside of one end of said cylinder, the end of said cylinder oppositesaid one end of said cylinder containing means for closing saidcylinder,

b. second means for holding a length of said dental floss, said secondmeans comprising two prong means, each of said prong means connected atone end to third means, said prong means comprising two prongs connectedat one end to base means, said prongs having tip means thereon, and

c. third means connecting said first means to said second means, saidthird means comprising:

i. cylindrical connector means connected to said first means, saydcylindrical connector means comprising a hollow cylinder thread on theoutside, said hollow cylinder contains hole means therein for receivingsaid dental floss,

ii. locking sleeve means connected to said cylindrical connector means,said locking sleeve means having ring means located above and below saidlocking sleeve means, said locking sleeve means comprising a hollowcylinder threaded on the inside, said hollow cylinder containing groovemeans for receipt of said dental floss, and

iii. nut means connecting said cylindrical connector means to saidsecond means, said nut means comprising an internally threaded nutcontaining groove means for the receipt of said dental floss.

2. The holder and dispenser of Claim 1 wherein said means for closingsaid cylinder comprises a threaded plug.

3. The holder and dispenser of claim 1 wherein said prong means have tipmeans thereon for holding sandpaper.

4. The holder and dispenser of claim 1 wherein one of said prong meansis straight and the other prong means is curved.

5. The holder and dispenser of claim 1 wherein both of said prong meansare straight.

6. The holder and dispenser of claim 1 wherein both of said prong meansare bent to form an approximate right angle.

7. The holder and dispenser of claim 1 wherein said ring means comprisesa torus.

8. The holder and dispenser of claim 1 wherein said hollow cylindercontains a slot therein for receiving said dental floss.

9. The holder and dispenser of claim 1 wherein said not contains twoholes in one end for receipt of said prongs.

e e a a s

1. A dental floss holder and dispenser comprising a. first means for holding a roll of dental floss, said first means comprising tube means, said tube means comprising a hollow cylinder having threads on the inside of one end of said cylinder, the end of said cylinder opposite said one end of said cylinder containing means for closing said cylinder, b. second means for holding a length of said dental floss, said second means comprising two prong means, each of said prong means connected at one end to third means, said prong means comprising two prongs connected at one end to base means, said prongs having tip means thereon, and c. third means connecting said first means to said second means, said third means comprising: i. cylindrical connector means connected to said first means, sayd cylindrical connector means comprising a hollow cylinder thread on the outside, said hollow cylinder contains hole means therein for receiving said dental floss, ii. locking sleeve means connected to said cylindrical connector means, said locking sleeve means having ring means located above and below said locking sleeve means, said locking sleeve means comprising a hollow cylinder threaded on the inside, said hollow cylinder containing groove means for receipt of said dental floss, and iii. nut means connecting said cylindrical connector means to said second means, said nut means comprising an internally threaded nut containing groove means for the receipt of said dental floss.
 2. The holder and dispenser of Claim 1 wherein said means for closing said cylinder comprises a threaded plug.
 3. The holder and dispenser of claim 1 wherein said prong means have tip means thereon for holding sandpaper.
 4. The holder and dispenser of claim 1 wherein one of said prong means is straight and the Other prong means is curved.
 5. The holder and dispenser of claim 1 wherein both of said prong means are straight.
 6. The holder and dispenser of claim 1 wherein both of said prong means are bent to form an approximate right angle.
 7. The holder and dispenser of claim 1 wherein said ring means comprises a torus.
 8. The holder and dispenser of claim 1 wherein said hollow cylinder contains a slot therein for receiving said dental floss.
 9. The holder and dispenser of claim 1 wherein said nut contains two holes in one end for receipt of said prongs. 